Zags 360: Back on the court, Scheduling issues, and Kentucky on the horizon
Ed Stein
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After an 11-day COVID layoff, the Gonzaga Bulldogs were back at it last week. Here is your 360-degree look at Then, Now, and What’s Next in Zags basketball.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs were back in action last week, opening West Coast Conference play with a lopsided victory. They still have plenty to sort out in the weeks ahead. But in the meantime, there are some exciting games on the way.
Our regular Zags blogger Teresa Powe is off this week, filling in is Ed Stein.
Gonzaga Bulldogs – Then
Pepperdine Waves 83 – Gonzaga Bulldogs 117
COVID wreaked havoc on the opening weeks of West Coast Conference play. After an 11-day break, the Zags finally got back on the court. Pepperdine probably wishes the Gonzaga Bulldogs hiatus lasted a little longer.
In their WCC opener, Gonzaga led wire to wire, never trailing in a 34-point blowout win. Anton Watson came off the bench to lead the Zags in both minutes (25) and points (19). Starting forwards, Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren had 18 points each. Andrew Nembhard only scored 3 points but had 8 assists and 6 boards.
Up to 2
The Zags played one game this week and climbed two spots in the polls to number two. Their rise was in conjunction with a couple of high-profile losses by top teams.
It started last Monday in Lafayette, Indiana. Wisconsin outscored then-third ranked Purdue 14-7 in the final four minutes to pull off a 74-69 upset win. The Boilermakers dropped four spots to seventh.
On Saturday, Duke’s final shot missed the mark giving Miami a 74-72 upset win in front of the Cameron Crazies in Durham, North Carolina. As a result, the Blue Devils fell six spots to eighth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF1M6uNHxko